Mental Health and MAMA Act of 2026
Congress Proposes Eliminating Out-of-Pocket Costs for Maternal Mental Health Care
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would require health insurance companies to cover mental health and substance use treatment with no out-of-pocket costs for pregnant people. This means patients would not have to pay copays, coinsurance, or deductibles for these specific services.
- The free coverage would start as soon as a person is diagnosed as pregnant and continue for one full year after the pregnancy ends. It applies to services provided by doctors or therapists who are in the insurance plan's network.
- The rule covers both in-person visits and telehealth appointments. This is intended to make it easier for new parents to get help from home if they are struggling with postpartum depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges.
- The policy aims to remove financial barriers to care during a high-risk time for mental health issues. By making these services free, the bill seeks to improve health outcomes for both parents and their babies.
- If this bill becomes law, insurance companies would have two years to update their plans to include these changes. It would apply to most private insurance plans, including those offered by employers and those bought by individuals.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
The bill specifically amends the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to include the same zero cost-sharing requirement for mental health and substance use services during pregnancy and postpartum. Federal employees and their dependents who become pregnant would benefit from free in-network mental health care during and for one year after pregnancy.
Programs
Disabilities
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
5 articlesU.S. Legislators Introduce MAMA Act to Expand Mental Health Care for Mothers
U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Jeanne Shaheen, along with Rep. Gwen Moore, introduced the Mental Health and Making Access More Affordable (MAMA) Act. The bill mandates that mental health and addiction treatments be covered without copays under private and public health plans for one year.
U.S. Sens. Baldwin, Shaheen, U.S. Rep. Moore: Lead effort to support pregnant and postpartum mothers
A report on the introduction of the Mental Health and MAMA Act. The legislation requires commercial, federal, and state/local government health plans to cover mental health or substance use disorder services with no cost-sharing from the start of pregnancy through one year postpartum.
Sen. Baldwin Introduces Bill to Support Pregnant and Postpartum Mothers
Senator Tammy Baldwin joined colleagues to introduce the MAMA Act, aiming to make mental health and addiction services more affordable. Baldwin stated the bill would unlock lifesaving care for millions of Americans, ensuring mothers and babies are set up for success.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Mental Health and MAMA Act of 2026
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(21)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.